Skull & shackles (Inactive)

Game Master DBH

With the threat eliminated, Kung lets his rage fall away. Once his fatigue has diminished, the warrior immediately sets to helping move the copious amounts of plunder out of the wreck and up to The Unbound Drake.

k. local DC 15: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Markizio did not recognize the seal on the boxes but it resembled either a trading company or a supplier. There was certainly something valuable in the boxes given how well-preserved they were.

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UP ABOVE

Mer-Markizio finally broke the water surface and took a long gulp of air... only to choke and cough as the air displaced the water in his lungs.

He tried again with the same results and panicked. His merman form was about to expire and he would lose the ability to breathe water.

He sunk his head, breathed water, and yelled,"Niobe, I can't breathe! Air I mean; I can't breathe air! I think that thing did something to me."

Holding his breath above water needed some getting used to, he looked at the others, "Am I cursed? Can anybody fix me?"

"I wouldn't say they're 'normal,'" Niobe replies to Marnir, "but they are one of those timeless things from the deep that I was talking about. Creatures that sleep down in the deep reaches and sometimes come up closer to the surface in search of slaves, or to undertake some hideous plans known only to themselves."

She swims to Markizio and says, "It's transformed you to make you a better underwater slave. Let me think..."

DM, I don't think we have any way to know that the effect is temporary, unless someone can make a knowledge (dungeoneering) roll to know about the aboleth's special attacks. Since I am not trained in that skill I can't get a high enough DC to know.

Jane's Knowledge Dungeoneering roll was high enough to get this information. It's one of the most commonly known things about Aboleth.

Jane nods and forwards any other information she knows about this Aboleth.

A few hours later Markizio can breath air again and is back on board. The crews mood is jubilant at the sheer amount of plunder gathered at such little risk. To themselves that is. :)

The summary so far:
Arriving in Port Peril you presented yourselves to the current Hurricane King, Kerdak Bonefist. Becoming a recognized Free captain of the Shackles. Tessa Fairwind, a major player in the council that governs to shackles met with you to discuss her belief that CHeliax had spies operating in the Shackles.

You agreed with her thoughts on the matter and set off to gather information from two sources. The house of stolen kisses in Quent, a temple of Calistria. And the Temple of the hidden name. A temple of Norgorber in the town of Beachcomber on Bag island.

The temple of stolen kisses wanted vengeance on thieves who had sunk a ship of theirs and stolen a sacred relic.

The temple of the Hidden name wanted information, on why a lost ship named the Brine banshee was so much faster and sailed so well?

You have found and ended the wreckers who sank the Calistrian ship, ending their careers and lives. Tracking down and old shipmate of a crewman on the Brine Banshee. He directed you to another pirate, one witha magic ring that would lead you to the location of the sunken ship where you recovered the enchanted ships wheel that gave the ship it's unnatural speed and handling.

Now all that you need do is return to the temples to receive your information as reward, and to deliver Haneilius Fitch to Quent with his payment for aiding you in finding the Brine Banshee.

Development: When you return the Golden Vespal to the House of Stolen Kisses as proof of their revenge against Vakarla’s wreckers, Dindreann lives up to her end of the bargain, and tells you that one of the temple’s patrons, a half-elf scrimshander in Drenchport named Jaymiss Keft, claimed to have knowledge of a spy operating in the Shackles. You must seek him out to learn the name of this spy.

Development: When you return to the Temple of the Hidden Name with the location of the wreck of the Brine Banshee and the secret of its speed, Slip accepts that information in trade for details on spies in the Shackles.
He informs you that he knows of a water naga named Sarlis who claims to know the location of a smuggler and spy for a foreign power.
Sarlis resides in a shallow cove on the Slithering Coast at this time of year, the location of which Slip marks on your charts.
He tells you to look for a hillock with a lone tree at the top on the western side of the river flowing into the cove.
Nearby is a pool where you should wait for Sarlis, which could take several days.
The nagas of the Slithering Coast are aggressive and territorial, but Sarlis is more “social” than most of her ilk. Still, you might have to wait several days for the naga to deign to meet with you.

Two results.

1. A Half elf named Jaymiss Keft in Drenchport, on Tempest kay.

2. A Water Naga named Sarlis in a cove on the Slithering coast.

The double-dealing and sharing of secrets is slightly easier for Marnir to bear this time, and he sees much more of it in his future as a Free Captain. He nobly refuses the other services of the House of Stolen Kisses, and less nobly refuses to divulge any more secrets to the creepy Halfling.

Once back aboard the Drake he gathers the officers in his quarters. "If this half-elf has the name of the spy, we should seek him out first. Knowing where the turncoat is isn't much use without knowing who it is," he says, before inviting the others to offer their opinions.

Kung nods as Marnir explains their options, as if he understands all the complexities of their choices. "Captain always lead us good. Kung say go to half-elf first sound right."

Jane, back in a dock town, decides to go shopping for some underwater equipment.

The first thing she looks for is an underwater crossbow 70gp so she won't be as useless at those combats. Then she goes shopping for alchemic components. If she has the needed money in her own coffers, she will look for a pearl of the sirines to aid in spells and swimming in the deep blue for her and any other spell caster that might need it in a pinch. 15,300gp... If there isn't enough, she'll put it on the bucket list of stuff to buy

Kung nods as Marnir explains their options, as if he understands all the complexities of their choices. "Captain always lead us good. Kung say go to half-elf first sound right."

Glad to breathe sweet air again, Markizio nodded, "You know we'll have to go both places so why not go to the one that's closer?"

He added, "I mean I like sailing but let's make efficient use of our time and resources. If there's a chance to stop at a major port, it sounds like Jane wants to acquire some new equipment, too."

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GM: is there an 'efficient' way to go to those two places, one that makes more sense with regards to resource management?

From Bag island where the Unbound drake is moored it is an equal sail to either of the options presented to you. NE to Tempest cay and Drenchport, or SE to the cove of the Water Naga.

Three votes for Drenchport, so I'm starting you there.

As the Drake sails to Tempest cay you have several days of peace, then on the morning of the fourth day the lookout sends up the familiar call. "Sails ahead to the port!"

You've come upon three fat Merchantmen.

What is the party doing?

Wary of easy targets since their run-in with the wreckers, Marnir eyes the three merchantmen suspiciously.

I suppose it's not out of the question for merchantmen to travel together for security, but I'm dubious. I'll see if Marnir can spot anything out of the ordinary.

Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22

"Call the crew to arms Kung. Let's be ready, just in case," he says, standing at the gunwale to survey their potential targets.

Markizio indicated for one of the sailors to ring the bell putting everyone on alert.

He checked to make sure he had his weapon and spell pouch, something he sometimes left in his cabin after a few days of easy sailing.

He looked at Niobe, "Do you want to... you know, turn into a bird or something and get a closer look?"

tag?

Niobe blinks and says, "I um, don't know how to do that?"

As a skinshaper my shapechanging ability lets me turn into other humanoids instead of animals.

Sorry, I had thought I'd updated this, but it doesn't seem to have showed up. Either I hit preview by mistake, or the board ate during another fit?

Marnir The ships promptly turn and run with the wind, there is some maneuvering as as they go and what was the leading ship slots in last in the line.

As you look it over you can see it's heavily armed for a merchantman, and more than one of the crew is wearing some type of uniform. It maneuvers to stay between you and the other marchants.

"Looks like someone wants to put up a fight," Marnir smiles. "Anyone recognise those uniforms?" he asks, before moving back to take his place at the ship's wheel.

"Who fancies a quick bit of old-fashioned piracy?" he quips, a grin spreading across his face.

As you draw closer you see the sails carry the three entwined asps that are the mark of the Aspis consortium. They are known to include an armed merchantman for convoys that carry something of great value to the consortium.

The Aspis boys! They are never up to any good."

Markizio was excited, "This will be dangerous but probably well worth the fight. Besides these guys are famous for exploiting local population out of their reaches. They are no merchants; they are pirates just like us."

He looked at his companions, C'mon, we can take them, right?"

Kung's eyes light up at the prospect of a big haul; it's obvious what his desire is. "Kung not know Aspis from anything, but Kung like sound of big prize. To battle!"

Jane, in the crows nest for once, watches the ship in the distance.

A Profession sailor from Marnir please. And which ship you are targeting?

"They sound like exactly the sort of bastards we should knock down a peg or two," says Marnir at Markizio's explanation. "Call the hands to action stations please Kung. Let's show these Aspis how the Drake fights."

Marnir hauls at the wheel, aiming for the more heavily armed guard ship.

If we've got time for spellcasting, I'll try to get off heroism and mirror image, followed by haste and Battle Cry as we engage.

Profession (sailor): 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (8) + 19 = 27

Similarly, I'll place barkskin on Kung again if we have time.

Jane quickly descends the rope leading down and moves to Kung. "Do you want to be a big captain and smash them?" she asks while pulling out a concoction.

You have plenty of time to prepare, while the two merchantmen make full sail and try to leave you behind, their armed sister tries her best to delay you, at first with maneuvering, at which she shows skills equal to yours, but once she see's you will not be comes at you with blood in mind.

Both you and the other ship hammer each other heavily as she comes at you, even if you win this fight you will be in no shape to chase the other two ships.

Get all the buffing you want in, I'll have the battle map up in an hour or so.

Markizio pumped himself and the crew for the fight.

He casts his normal defensive spell, conjuring up an invisible shield to deflect blows. He also energized his blade, which sparked under the sunlight.

"What do you think captain? Should I soften them some with a fireball or two before we close in or is that too risky of a maneuver?"

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cast shield and use arcane point to add shocking burst to blade. Not sure about additional casting yet...

Jane, Kung would love to get bigger, but does Jane have the Infusion discovery? Without that, I'm pretty sure she can't share her extracts, even if she "feeds" them to people. @GM is the final arbiter of this, of course, but multiple discussions on the rules messageboards say it can't be done that way.

Kung calls all pirates to arms, ringing the bell loudly until all are at their stations. He gets himself ready for his favorite hobby, a bloody boarding.

Between the board crashing and Google docs being a sluggish brat it's taken me a little longer than I thought to get this up.

The ships come together with both sides battered and hungry for blood. Whoever is in command of this crew is no sluggard. The Blood price is braced and ready for the Unbound drake.

A Profession Sailor from Marnir please. This will decide initiative and a few other things as it comes to melee.

"Blow them apart now," Marnir suggests to Markizio, "then there'll be fewer of them trying to cut us to pieces when we board." He then takes a few moments to cast his own spells, before steering the Drake towards the Aspis vessel.

heroism and mirror image (for 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 images) for starters. Other buffs to follow once we're engaged.

Profession (sailor), heroism: 1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 19 + 2 = 38

"Blow them apart now," Marnir suggests to Markizio, "then there'll be fewer of them trying to cut us to pieces when we board." He then takes a few moments to cast his own spells, before steering the Drake towards the Aspis vessel.

Markizio's eyes lit up in a good way. His hands weaved an intricate pattern in front of him and small red dot appeared which he promptly sent towards the incoming ship.

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cast one fireball (or two?, please roll the damage for the second spell if allowed)

fireball: 8d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 1, 1, 3, 3, 1, 3) = 19, ref save DC 16 for 1/2 damage

Jane hands Kung the potion and gets ready for the combat.

Kung drinks down Jane's extract of Enlarge Person as the boats collide, and prepares himself to board.

Since Marnir got lucky and beat the other captains Profession sailor score the party gets the advantage in combat and goes first. Markizio, I've rolled both the saves and the damage for 2 Fireballs on the opposition.

I prefer to think of it as skilled rather than lucky!

As the Drake makes contact with the Aspis vessel and the crews ready themselves for the boarding action, Marnir vaults from the quarterdeck to join up with his officers.

As he lands he draws his axe before striding across the deck, his hands weaving in arcane patterns through the air. He then roars at the top of his voice. "DRAKES! ATTACK!"

Move Action to jump down from the quarterdeck and move a total of 30ft (minimum Acrobatics result of 19 should be enough) while drawing my battleaxe.
Standard Action to cast haste on everyone.
Swift Action to use Battle Cry to give allies within 30 feet a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and a +4 morale bonus on saving throws against fear for 1 minute.

Kung, feeling Marnir's magic wash over him, responds to his Captain's battle cry in the only way he knows how. He looks over to Markizio, catching his eye and breaking into a huge grin as he nods at the sailors at the other end of the boarding planks. His eyes cloud as he allows the fury that always boils under the surface rise. His peg-leg starts tapping its intricate rhythm on the deck, louder now due to his increased size, and the half-orc rushes across the gap.

Niobe traces a few gestures in the air, which leave some kind of sparkling, fiery residue, but then she halts as if waiting for something.

Energized and bolstered by Marnir, Markizio is right behind... big Kung, "Leave some pirates for me, big guy."

He casts a spell to further energize his blade and discharges it into the man right across the plank with a falcata strike.

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cast shocking grasp and spellstrike

falcata to hit: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 = 9
spell damage: 5d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 3, 4, 1) = 13

Kung slaughters the sailor facing him with one bloody strike.

Markizio's blow goes wide as the boarding plank wobbles under his feet.

Red begins spellcasting and Niobe's waiting spell slams into her.
Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
She shrieks in pain as she takes all the damage.
No way she make that Concentration check. So spell gone. A pox on clever PC's.

Teal & Purple hear the curses yelled by White and move to shoot Niobe
Heavy crossbow Teal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 6
Heavy crossbow Purple: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
One bolt hitting Niobe for 6 damage

Blue strikes back at Markizio
Cutlass: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
And misses.

Yellow & Green both attack Kung
Cutlass Yellow: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
Cutlass Green: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

Cutlass Yellow (Crit confirm?): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13 Not a crit.
Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Kung takes 13 damage.

White is barking orders this round. Red is glaring hatefully at Niobe.

New round. Everyone may act again.

Jane sees the spell aster in the back, she moves up onto the plank, raises up her hand and shoots out a bolt of webbing to entrap the wizard. reflex 15 negate.

Marnir channels magic into his axe before looking across at Kung and Markizio on the enemy vessel. With his limbs sped up by his magic, Marnir sprints across the deck of the Drake towards the Aspis ship. He leaps, planting his foot on the gunwale, then soars through the air to land on the enemy's deck. He brings his axe down with incredible force towards the stunned looking sailor in front of him.

Swift Action to use Arcane Strike, Move Action to jump onto the other ship (current Acrobatics bonus to jump is +30 so clearing the gap isn't an issue), Standard Action to attack yellow. Could someone move my marker up please?

Axe attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Kung, reveling in his increased size, waves his sword above his head and roars as he begins to put all of his focus on the sailor that drew blood on him. His rage radiates from his monstrous green skin as his peg-leg continues to tap a wild yet intricate rhythm.

I moved you, Marnir.

Many thanks. It's irritating not being able to love my marker on my iPad at the weekend.

Markizio nimbly stepped between the two pirates before unleashing his magic through his blade.

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cast defensively acid touch, spellcombat, spellstrike, haste;
attack blue until down and then teal

cast defensively DC 15: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30
falcata to hit, power attack, arcane strike: 1d20 + 10 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 10 - 2 - 2 = 21
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 2 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 2 + 4 + (6) = 24
falcata to hit, power attack, arcane strike: 1d20 + 5 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 5 - 2 - 2 = 12
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 2 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 2 + 4 + (2) = 20
spellstrike
falcata to hit, power attack, arcane strike: 1d20 + 10 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 10 - 2 - 2 = 13
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 2 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 + 4 + (2) = 18
spell damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2
haste
falcata to hit, power attack, arcane strike: 1d20 + 10 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 10 - 2 - 2 = 20
damage: 1d8 + 4 + 2 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 + 4 + (3) = 14

Jane fires her webbing at the caster.
Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Who shrieks again as she is wrapped up tightly.

Between them Marnir & Kung end another two of the Aspis bravos.

Markizio dices another bravo with two stylish blows.

Waiting on Niobe.

Niobe gestures and two crackling balls of lightning zip across the decks to attack White & Red.
Reflex Red: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Reflex White - Metal armor: 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 12 - 4 = 27

Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 3) = 7
Red shrieks again as she convulses with the energy sizzling into her.

White White yells an order loudly and the cabin doors burst open, more of her thugs pouring out to reinforce her crew.

4 more emerge this round, but their action is getting out of the cabin.

The two facing Markizio keep hacking at him in an attempt to end his invasion of their ship.

attack Purple: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
attack Teal: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23 Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
One cuts him again for 10 damage.

The party may go again.

Sorry I'm so slow, the last two days have been extremely busy.

Not a problem GM, we're still waiting for Niobe to re-appear anyway.

As more Aspis soldiers appear from below decks, Marnir flicks the blood from his axe and steps up towards them. Moving with speed and precision, his axe is a blur of steel as he lifts his voice above the din of the battle to begin his Ulfen warchant.

Swift Action to use Arcane Strike, Move Action to start inspired rage which activates the furious enhancement on my axe, 5ft step, Standard Action to attack green.

Axe attack: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (20) + 18 = 38
Confirm?: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (9) + 18 = 27
Damage: 3d8 + 42 ⇒ (1, 4, 2) + 42 = 49

I'm here! For some reason (or perhaps no reason at all) I missed that I was being waited on!

Allowing her lightning balls to continue to sizzle, Niobe shouts out a word of encouragement to Marnir.

War blessing grants Marnir +2 morale bonus on attack rolls for 1 minute. Sadly, doesn't stack with his skald music, but that's only +1, so this is at least another +1.

Nor does it stack with heroism sadly, which is already a +2 morale bonus. I appreciate the offer, but someone else will benefit from it where I can't.